Is the TRD OR's E-Locker Necessary with ATRAC?

My 07 Tacoma AC 2WD SR5 was totaled in an accident this week when someone turned in front of me while I was going 60 mph, and I now have to look for a replacement.

My only regret with my Tacoma was not getting the 4WD TRD Off Road model at the time due to the extra cost. I was actually planning on getting an aftermarket locking rear differential installed before the accident (my Tacoma was pre-ATRAC).

While 90% of my driving is on the road, I do spend a lot of time on the weekends in muddy/soft off road areas. I haven't gotten completely stuck yet, but I have gotten awful nervous a few times. I had hoped the locking rear differential I was planning to get would help get me unstuck if needed.

Now that I have to get a replacement, I plan on getting a 4WD model up front. Since the 4WD model will already cost extra, I'm wondering if the TRD Off Road version will be worth the extra money on top of that, especially since they are not very common in my area (central Texas).

I hear a lot of good things about the ATRAC system the newer Tacomas have, and it seems like it gives the 4WD Tacomas similar performance to having rear, center, and front limited slip differentials. Is the locking differential on the TRD OR a huge gain over the standard 4WD with ATRAC?

I'm not a big off roader, and mud and soft ground is my main concern. The E-locker is the main feature I like on the TRD OR since I probably won't need the upgraded suspension, skid plate, etc. If the E-locker doesn't have much of an edge over 4WD ATRAC, then I don't think the extra expense for the TRD OR would be worth it. I don't plan on doing any performance upgrades once I buy it.

 

Oh. I didn't know that. I guess that settles it then.

Does the TRD Sport have ATRAC?

 

No

 

A-Trac BLOWS

 

Really? Read a lot of good stuff above on this site.

 

aah man = sarcasm dude without doing this --->

Oh and I have A-Trac

 

Okay, thanks everyone. Looks like I'll have to go all out for the TRD Off Road unless I end up getting the Tundra instead.

 

If you can get through it in 2WD then a 4WD SR5 will put you over the top.

 

Does the standard 4WD act like two open differentials or does it have the regular TRAC system? If it does have TRAC, does it regulate engine output in 4WD?

Thanks again.

 

A 4x4 SR5 has the standard TRAC which requires a bit of wheelspin to kick in (and it doesn't work in 4-Lo, but you can fix that: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/51946-4low-trac.html)

 

Okay, that makes sense.

Seems like TRAC in 4WD acting like front and rear LSDs would be pretty damn effective? Especially with the 4L TRAC mod that Whiplash posted.

If I understand this correctly, the extra traction options the TRD OR gives you is the ATRAC in 4L only plus the E-locker. Are these features enough of a performance boost to justify the higher price of the TRD OR package?

Thanks for the replies so far--everyone's been super helpful. I've been scouring David_K's A-TRAC/TRAC/AUTO LSD Explained post.

 

PAGING DAVID K

 

LOL

 

Plain and simple....GET IT OR ELSE YOUR REGRET IT.......end of story.

 

you said it brother !!!!

 

Hi Guys!

Is everyone having fun here?

Sounds like the OP has already scanned through my thread... If there are any questions that you want some clarification on, please let me know... PM if you wish.

As for the title of your post: Is the TRD OR's E-Locker Necessary with ATRAC?

I wanted to find out myself and after a year of going to places that really help having the rear locker (see the Mision Santa Maria trip) I can happily say NO, it isn't necessary because not only does the A-TRAC give you locker action on the rear, but also on the front!

Is it good that the rear locker is still included in the Off Road? Sure... because that is the main reason I get the Off Road model, and back in 2009 when I got this truck, I didn't even know it had A-TRAC before I got it! Until everyone knows what A-TRAC is and how it works, the 'old style' stuff should be left on it!

PS I know some folks like to use the locker instead of the A-TRAC, as it doesn't make those noises... Just good to have choices! The Off Road 4WD Tacoma gives us NINE choices of traction... that's cool!

 

After this weekend, I am pretty jealous of those that have ATRAC... although TRAC wasn't too bad either. Oswego was having trouble getting up a steep hill with large potholes that the ATRAC folks were getting up no problem. Soon as he switched to 4 HI instead of 4 LO he got up, he has a sport model so he just has TRAC.

ATRAC is def much more aggressive, and amazing, but TRAC isn't too bad either.

 

I decided to go with the TRD OR package on mine. The ATRAC is very good. I've gotten out of some sticky spots that 4H would not have worked. I still haven't used the rear locker yet. It's good to know it's there if needed.